Forest in Rajasthan | RPSC Preparation: All subjects - RPSC RAS (Rajasthan) PDF Download

Introduction

• Rajasthan is endowed with a rich variety of forests despite its dry climate conditions. As the largest state in the country, it boasts approximately 9.56% forest cover. 
• The forests in Rajasthan come in different types, and in this discussion, we will delve into the essential facets of Rajasthan's forests, including the types of forests present, the forest policy of the state, and other pertinent details.

Type of Forest in Rajasthan 

• Rajasthan's botanical diversity is extensive and varied. While the western part of the state is characterized by arid landscapes, the eastern and southern regions are predominantly forested. 
• These woodlands are spread across various districts, with a significant portion located in hilly areas like Udaipur, Rajasamand, Kota, Chittorgarh, Sawai Madhopur, and Banswara districts, accounting for more than half of the state's forest cover. 
• Dense natural forests are found in protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, while the rest of the state's woodlands are in different stages of plant growth. 
• Rajasthan's forests can be categorized into four main types:
  • Tropical Thorn Forests 
  • Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests 
  • Central India Sub-tropical Hill Forests 
  • Mixed Miscellaneous Forests 

Let us look at each of them in detail:

Tropical Thorn Forests

• Tropical thorn forests are present in the arid and semi-arid regions of western Rajasthan, extending from the western Indo-Pak border and blending into the Aravalli hills. 
• They also merge with the dry deciduous mixed forests of the southeastern plateau. Common species in these forests include Babul, white-bark acacia, Khejri, and Ber. These forests are primarily found in Jodhpur, Pali, Jalore, Barmer, Nagaur, Churu, and Bikaner.

Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

• Tropical dry deciduous forests are scattered in small pockets across the state. They cover the northern slopes of the Aravalli hills and extend into Alwar, Bharatpur, and Dholpur districts. 
• These forests also grow along dry river beds in Jalore, Nagaur, Ganganagar, and Bikaner. Prominent species include Safed Dhok, Dhaora, Black Cutch, and Sadar.

Central India Sub-tropical Hill Forests

• Found predominantly in Madhya Pradesh, parts of Gujarat, and Maharashtra, these forests also extend into Rajasthan's Sirohi district and the hills surrounding Mt. Abu. 
• They are characterized by semi-evergreen and evergreen tree species. Mt. Abu's vegetation features several plants typical of the Himalayan subtropical zone, thriving between 700 and 800 meters in altitude.

Mixed Miscellaneous Forests

• Located in Chittorgarh, Udaipur, and Banswara districts, these forests include species such as Safed Dhok, Dhaora, Saaj, and Arjuna Tree.

Other Types Of Forest In Rajasthan

In addition to the major forest classifications, Rajasthan features several other types of forests:

Dry Teak Forest

• Found in Udaipur, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, and surrounding areas, these forests are dominated by teak trees, which cover about 75% of the forest area. 
• Teak trees thrive in Southern Rajasthan, where temperatures are less extreme and elevations are around 250 meters. 
• Other species in these forests include Khed, Temal, and Reetha.

Salar Forest

• Located in areas with elevations above 450 meters, such as Jaipur, Alwar, Pali, and Sikar, Salar forests are named after the Salar trees prevalent in these regions. 
• Vegetation includes Salar, Dhok, Katira, and Dhawar. Salar trees are a significant source of gum, and their wood is used for packing purposes.

Bamboo Forest

• These forests are found in regions with higher rainfall compared to other parts of Rajasthan. 
• Notable locations include the districts of Kota, Sirohi, and Banswara.

Dhokara Forest

• This type of forest is found at elevations between 240 and 760 meters. 
• The Dhok tree, native to Rajasthan, is common in Jaipur, Rajsamand, and Udaipur. It is a valuable source of coal.

Champion and Seth Classification

• Besides the major types, Champion and Seth's classification (1968) further divides Rajasthan's forests into tropical dry deciduous forests and tropical thorn forests. These are subdivided into 20 distinct forest types.

Forest Policy of Rajasthan, 2010

• In February 2010, the Rajasthan Cabinet approved the state's inaugural Forest Policy, introducing new directives concerning livestock development and water management. 
• A key objective was to elevate the forest cover in the arid state to 20% from the existing 9.5%, primarily through the extensive afforestation initiative outlined in the "Harit Rajasthan" program. 
• The proposal aimed to allocate funds for tree plantation along the Indira Gandhi Canal and other viable areas for forest regeneration. 

Highlights of the First Forest Policy of Rajasthan

The forested land in the state constitutes 9.56% of its total geographical expanse, predominantly concentrated within the Aravalli and Vindhayan hill ranges of Rajasthan. The per capita forest area stands at roughly 0.06 hectares, marking one of the lowest figures nationwide.
Here are the primary objectives outlined in Rajasthan's state forest policy:

• Protecting, preserving, and enhancing natural forests in Rajasthan with robust community involvement.
• Boosting forest production through appropriate management techniques and modern technology to cater to present and future needs.
• Addressing desertification and land degradation issues.
• Establishing a network of protected areas to safeguard floral and natural diversity and conserve the gene pool.
• Empowering local communities for sustainable forest management through the joint forest management system.
• The primary objective of the forest policy is to foster environmental stability and ecological security by expanding vegetation cover, which in turn can lead to a reduction in stratospheric temperatures and an increased likelihood of precipitation.

Forest and Wildlife of Rajasthan 

• Despite the significant desert terrain in Rajasthan, the state boasts a rich variety of flora and fauna. With around 2000 plant species, 87 mammal species, 114 fish species, over 500 bird species, and approximately 81 reptile species, Rajasthan showcases remarkable biodiversity.
• The state's diverse vegetation owes itself to its vast expanse and varying elevations reaching up to 1,700m above sea level. This diverse topography creates a range of natural habitats, supporting endangered species and attracting migratory birds. These habitats span from semi-green forests to arid grasslands near locations like Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.

Forest Statistics 

Let's delve into some crucial statistics regarding the forests in Rajasthan:

• The forest area in Rajasthan spans approximately 32,863 square kilometers, as per the State of Forest Report 2021. This area represents 9.60% of the state's total geographical expanse and roughly 4.23% of India's forested area.
• According to the ISFR 2021, Rajasthan's forest cover measures around 16,654.96 square kilometers, accounting for about 4.87% of the state's total geographic area.
• ISFR 2021 also ranks the districts of Rajasthan based on forest cover. Udaipur boasts the highest total forest area, followed by Alwar and Pratapgarh. On the other hand, Churu has the smallest forest area, with Hanumangarh and Jodhpur following suit.

Conclusion

• Rajasthan's forest area spans 32,638.74 square kilometers, constituting 9.54% of the state's total land area.
• Forest distribution in Rajasthan is uneven across the northern, southern, eastern, and southeastern regions.
• The teak forests in Rajasthan mark the northernmost extent of India's teak zone.